Underwater Speakers to Protect Endangered Salmon on River Dee
Underwater speakers are set to be installed on the River Dee in Aberdeenshire in a bid to protect critically endangered Atlantic salmon from seal predation. The new technology aims to deter seals from travelling upstream and feeding on vulnerable fish populations.
The University of St Andrews has secured £160,000 in funding to develop and deploy a new “detect and deter” system on the lower stretches of the River Dee. The system will use underwater speakers to emit sounds designed to discourage seals from entering key salmon habitats.
New System Aims to Succeed Where Previous Methods Failed
Earlier attempts to protect salmon, including water scooter startle devices used to push seals downstream, were found to be ineffective. Researchers hope the new acoustic deterrent will provide a more reliable solution to the growing problem of seal predation.
Similar technology has already been tested on the North Esk, where project leaders say early results have been promising. Scientists believe the system can be adapted for use on larger rivers such as the Dee, which present challenges for existing sonar-based monitoring technologies.
Salmon Numbers Fall as Seal Populations Rise
The Dee District Salmon Fishery Board (DDSFB) reported that Atlantic salmon numbers on the River Dee fell by 40% this year compared with 2024. At the same time, grey seal populations have increased, leading to higher levels of predation on salmon.
Debbie Cooper from the DDSFB described the new technology as the latest in a long line of methods trialled to protect salmon, noting that previous approaches have failed to deliver lasting results. Conservationists hope this innovation could provide a breakthrough in safeguarding one of Scotland’s most threatened fish species.
She added: “We are really hopeful this new detect and deter system that has worked in the North Esk could work for us.
“Because they are endangered we have to do everything we can to save them.
“We are in a race against time now, so it is really crucial for us to be working on this technology at this time.”
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At Natural World Fund, we are passionate about restoring habitats in the UK to halt the decline in our wildlife.
